When Duke tipped off its season opener against Texas, it wasn’t exactly the start Jon Scheyer had imagined. Shots weren’t falling, the offense looked sluggish, and the energy inside the Spectrum Center felt flat. But by the time the final buzzer sounded, the Blue Devils had flipped the script — and Scheyer revealed the one thing that made it possible.
That thing? Defense.
The sixth-ranked Blue Devils turned an uneasy first half into a statement win, locking down Texas 75–60 in the Dick Vitale Invitational. For Scheyer, who learned under Mike Krzyzewski, the philosophy was simple — when offense fails, defense finds a way.
“Defense starts with a mindset, and these guys have it,” Scheyer said. “No matter what’s happening on the offensive end, our defense can keep us in games.”
A Rough Start Turned Into a Lockdown Performance
Duke looked out of rhythm early, shooting just 37.9% in the first half and coughing up seven turnovers. Freshman Cameron Boozer, playing his first college game, needed time to settle in. Only Isaiah Evans, who drained multiple threes and scored 15 points, looked consistently in sync.
Meanwhile, Texas used its athleticism to crash the boards, grabbing 12 offensive rebounds before halftime and taking a slim 33–32 lead. But that didn’t last long.
After halftime, Duke’s defense took control. The Blue Devils cut off dribble penetration, contested every shot, and forced the Longhorns into 16 turnovers while holding them to just 32% shooting for the game.
“The best stretches we had came when we were tough on the ball,” Scheyer said. “Our size, our activity — that’s what changed the game.”
Cameron Boozer’s Second-Half Presence
Once Duke’s defense locked in, Boozer came alive. The 6-foot-9 freshman dominated the paint, pulling down 13 rebounds — 12 on defense — while anchoring the Blue Devils’ interior.
“In the second half, we just brought energy,” Boozer said. “We got stops, ran the floor, and everything started clicking. It all started on defense.”
Texas Couldn’t Find Its Rhythm
Texas head coach Rodney Miller admitted afterward that his team never dictated the tempo.
“We competed hard, but we played at their pace,” Miller said. “Six assists, 16 turnovers — that tells the story. Our offense wasn’t where it needs to be.”
Injuries to key post players Matas Vokietaitis and Lassina Traore didn’t help. The pair combined for nine turnovers and struggled against Duke’s length inside.
New Faces, Familiar Grit
Scheyer’s starting lineup featured Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, Cameron Boozer, Patrick Ngongba II, and freshman Dame Sarr — a mix of returning talent and new firepower. Sarr, in particular, earned praise for his energy and defense.
Senior Maliq Brown, who missed the preseason with a knee issue, also made a strong return, adding toughness and leadership.
Scheyer said fans shouldn’t overanalyze the rotations just yet. “We’re still building,” he said. “Where we’re going is a long way from where we are, but I love how our guys responded.”
The Blue Devils now head home for their Cameron Indoor Stadium opener against Western Carolina on Saturday.
If the win over Texas proved anything, it’s that Duke’s defense — not offense — might be the secret weapon that carries them deep into March.
